SAT Scores Required for Top 24 U.S. Colleges & Universities (2025)

SAT Scores Required for Admission to the Top 24 U.S. Colleges & Universities (2025 Guide)

How high should your SAT score be to get into the best universities in the United States? Here's your data-backed guide.

Table of Contents

• SAT Score Expectations: Overview
• SAT Score Ranges for Top 24 U.S. Colleges
• The Test-Optional Trend
• Beyond the SAT: Holistic Admissions
• References & Resources
• Disclaimer
• Contact & Support

SAT Score Expectations: Overview

To gain admission to the most prestigious universities in the United States, you’ll typically need an SAT score in the 1500–1600 range. A score of 1550 or higher is considered highly competitive at Ivy League and similarly selective institutions.

Image Source: GeeksforGeeks

While SAT scores aren’t the only admissions factor, they remain an important component—especially when applying to top-tier schools.

SAT Score Ranges for Top 24 U.S. Colleges (2025)

The table below lists the average SAT score ranges (25th to 75th percentile) for top U.S. colleges. Use this as a reference for setting your score target:

College / University	EBRW (Reading & Writing)	Math	Total SAT Range
Harvard University	730–790	740–800	1470–1590
Stanford University	690–760	700–780	1390–1540
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	730–780	780–800	1510–1580
Princeton University	730–770	750–800	1480–1570
Yale University	720–780	740–800	1460–1580
University of Chicago	730–780	760–800	1500–1570
Columbia University	710–770	740–800	1450–1570
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	740–760	790–800	1530–1560
University of Pennsylvania	700–760	740–800	1440–1560
Northwestern University	710–770	740–800	1450–1570
Brown University	710–770	730–790	1440–1560
Dartmouth College	710–770	730–790	1440–1560
Duke University	720–770	740–800	1460–1570
Johns Hopkins University	720–770	750–800	1470–1570
Rice University	730–770	760–800	1490–1570
Vanderbilt University	720–770	750–800	1470–1570
University of Notre Dame	710–770	730–790	1440–1560
Washington University in St. Louis	720–770	750–800	1470–1570
University of California, Berkeley	660–750	670–790	1330–1540
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	650–750	660–790	1310–1540
University of Southern California (USC)	680–750	700–790	1380–1540
New York University (NYU)	660–740	690–790	1350–1530
Carnegie Mellon University	700–760	760–800	1460–1560
Emory University	700–750	710–790	1410–1540

Note: These are mid-range scores for admitted students and are not cut-offs. Always check the most recent data on each university’s official admissions page.

The Test-Optional Trend

Many universities now have test-optional policies. However, submitting a strong SAT score—even when optional—can still give you an edge over other applicants. According to FairTest.org, over 1,800 U.S. colleges are currently test-optional.

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Beyond the SAT: Holistic Admissions

Admissions at top universities go far beyond test scores. Other crucial components include:

• GPA — Weighted and unweighted performance
• Essays — Personal statements and supplemental prompts
• Extracurriculars — Clubs, research, leadership roles
• Letters of Recommendation — From teachers and counselors

Your SAT score is one piece of the puzzle—but aim high to remain competitive in this elite applicant pool.

References & Resources

• College Board – Official SAT
• Crimson Education – What Is a Good SAT Score
• Collegedunia – SAT Scores by University
• PrepScholar – Ivy League SAT Expectations
• Magoosh – SAT Score Ranges for 2025

Disclaimer

This guide is based on publicly available admissions data as of 2025. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with this website. Use this information as a general reference—individual requirements may vary by school and program.

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